Improvement in machines for cutting off gelatine capsules



F. A. HUBEL. Machine for Cutting Off Gelatine Capsules.

No. 223,139. Patented Dec. 30,1879.

N-FETERS, FHOTO-LITMDGHAF'NER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT Owruoa.

FREDERICK A. HUBEL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING OFF GELATINE CAPSULES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,139, dated December30, 1879; application filed July 10, 1879.

in Machines for Cutting off Gelatine Capsules,

of which the following is a specification.

The nature of my invention relates to certain new and usefulimprovements in machines employed to cut off gelatine capsulespreparatory to their removal from the molds upon which they are formed,and is especially designed as an improvement upon a similar inventionfor which Letters Patent were granted to me February 13, 1877, No.187,279, and reissued October 1, 1878, and numbered 8,440.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, andoperation of the various parts, as more fully hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is avertical central section. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper plate ofthe machine, showing the pinions in position. Fig. 4 is an enlarged viewof one of the cutters and molds, showing the capsule cut oif andprepared for removal from the mold; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view,partially in section, showing the slide-plate for adjusting the knives,and also the device for locking the crank-handle which operates them.

In the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification, Arepresents a suitable frame resting upon the base E, to support theoperating parts of my improved machine. D is a platform supported uponthe upper end of the rod F, which has a vertical movement through thebase by means of the rock-shaft T and arm T, secured at one end to saidshaft, and at the other end pivoted to the foot of the rod F. Thisrock-shaft is properly journaled in the base E, and has secured to itsprojectin g end a bar or lever, H, which engages with an adjustablenotch-plate, H, secured to the plate H which, in turn, is secured to theside of the base E. This notch-plate H is secured adjustably to theplate H by means of a screwbolt, H which passes through a slot in theplate H, and is tapped into the plate H the bolt H being operated by alever, H, secured to its inner end.

By the device just described I am enabled to raise or lower the platformD to a greater or less degree, as may be required.

To this platform, so that it will have a vertical movement with it, issecured the arm K, the outer end of which is threaded to receive thecrank S. There is also placed upon this arm a locking-block, L, by whichthe moldplate C- is secured within the guides a on the platform D, asshown. The molds c are secured in a vertical position to the plate 0 atregular intervals.

G is a plate sliding laterally in proper ways in the frame. In thisplate are cut suitable openings it, through which the spring-arms,hereinafter described, project. At one side of the machine there isproperlyjournaled a shaft,

1, to the lower end of which is pivoted alever, m

M, a pin, m,in the short arm of which engages with a slot in the plateG, by which means said plate is caused to move back and forth, as may bedesired by the operator.

To or in the top of the frame there is journaled a series of smalldrums, b. To each of these drums is secured a pinion, 1), arranged toengage with each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. One of these pinionsreceives motion from a crank, O, and com municates such motion by theengaging pinions to the drums I). The latter should correspond in numberto the number of the molds employed on the plate 0, and must be placedwith like regular intervals between them. To the lower side of each ofthese drums there is secured a downwardly-projecting springarm, s,carrying at its free end a cutter-head, o, to which is secured a rotaryor circular-shaped cutter, d.

To the top of the shaft I is pivoted eccentrically a locking-lever, N,the opposite end of which slides in a proper guide, 1', and engages witha recess in the side of the crank O, to prevent the latter from beingturned until said lever or bar is withdrawn.

In practice the molds c are immersed to the proper depth in the gelatineprepared for the purpose. After the molds have received a coating of thegelatine of sufficient thickness to make the capsules, the slides areplaced upon the platform D and secured in place by the crank S and theblock L. The platform D is then raised to the desired height by means ofthe bar H and its connections, herein described. The lever M is thendrawn forward, which allows the cutter-knives to come in contact withthe upper ends of the molds, and withdraws the lockingbar from the crankO. The crank O is then rotated, which, by the devices hereinbeforedescribed, causes the cutters to perform their office, as is shown inFig. 4. After the out has been made, and while the motion of the cuttersis still continued, the molds are again forced upward, and by thisoperation the tag or cut-off portion c is forced away from the capsulee.

By the means described it will be seen that I am able to producecapsules of uniform length, varying such lengths as may be required,without changing any of the parts of my machine.

WVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a machine for cutting offcapsules, the combination of the series of molds e and the platform D,rod I rock-shaft T, and arm T, operated by any suitable lever, for thepurpose of regulating the length of the capsules, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a machine for cutting off capsules, the combination of theplatform D, rod F, rockshaft T, and arm T, operated by a bar or lever,H, which engages with the notch-plate H, for the purpose of raising orlowering the platform D, substantially asspecified.

3. In a capsule-cutting machine substantially as described, thecombination of the plate Gr, lever M, shaft 1, and locking-lever N, forthe purpose of disengaging the cutter-heads from their contact with themolds and locking the crank by which said cutters are rotated,substantially as set forth.

4. In a capsule-cuttii'lg machine, the platform D, carrying the plate C,upon which are secured the molds e, in combination with the 7 rod F,rock-shaft T, arm T, levers H M N,

segment-plate H, plate G, shaft I, and pin- FREDERICK A. HUBEL.

Witnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, A. BARTHEL.

